Recently we renovated and extended our house

We had to make a decision about our upstairs space

We chose not to create a fifth bedroom

Weeks later we found out we were pregnant

Ooops!

No nursery for this little one

But if you are designing a nursery

Here are some ideas

Creating a new nursery can seem to be a daunting task whether it’s your first time or you’re giving an existing room a makeover. Luckily, however, there are plenty of really useful tips that will help you decide on what theme to use, which colours will work best and how to manage and coordinate, if you wish, textiles, flooring and window treatments. Start with aiming to get the basics right and your scheme will grow from there, blossoming into a cosy little nest for your new arrival.

Must haves

The essentials of a nursery may seem to be too obvious to be stated, however they do provide the structure around which everything else you choose to add should fit. So to start with you should consider where in your chosen room your baby will sleep, where you will place a changing station and where you will want to nurse baby. Just like designing an efficient kitchen, these three areas form an important triangle in terms of your room design.

Once these are settled, you can go on to consider décor, materials and window treatments. You will also need to think about baby’s changing needs as she or he grows. If you can make allowances for this at an early stage, it won’t be difficult to adapt your room for a toddler or older child.

Positioning baby’s crib

It’s important that your baby is able to sleep safely and peacefully, out of draughts and away from sources of heat. Don’t put the cot next to a radiator, heaters, windows, wall decorations, cords or lamps. Never use a hot water bottle while your baby is in the crib. Aim for a room temperature of between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius – a small room thermometer will help you keep an eye on this and if you can install a ceiling fan, which might be useful during summer months, so much the better.

Changing table

Bearing in mind that you will need to stay with your baby when he or she is on the changing table, organise toiletries, including wipes, nappy sacks and other cleansing products, so they are within your reach. Make sure they are not, however, within baby’s reach and always safely and hygienically dispose of used nappy changing materials once you have finished. If you are fortunate enough to have a wash basin in the nursery then placing your changing station beside it or near it will be a big help.

Nursing

If you plan to breastfeed or bottle-feed baby in the nursery you need to make room for a comfortable nursing chair and a small table, preferably with some storage. This helps to make the experience a peaceful and comfortable one for both parent and child. Keep fresh water and some nutritional snacks available if you are breastfeeding to keep thirst at bay and counter the calories you lose during feeding. You may also want breast pads, tissues and cleansing wipes at hand. It can be pleasant to sit near a window with a decent view when nursing, as long as you have sufficient privacy and excessive sunlight doesn’t irritate baby or you.

Other important features

To help maintain ideal temperatures in your nursery, as well as installing a ceiling fan consider using shutters for any windows. With manoeuvrable slats, they offer an excellent way to control light and heat and can provide a little extra soundproofing and insulation. They are also free from cords, unlike blinds, and come in a range of finishes to match any décor.

When you select paint for your nursery you can rest assured that nowadays it is lead-free so simply choose a theme and enjoy decorating in ways that will stimulate your child’s interests as they grow. You may prefer to choose colours that are appropriate for both boys and girls and add a few extra touches, such as wall decals, to feed your baby’s visual imagination.

In practical terms, washable flooring is the most hygienic choice however that doesn’t mean you can’t add a few warm cosy rugs that are soft underfoot, that both you and baby can enjoy. Match these with other textiles, such as throws and cushions in colours that complement your choice of ceiling and wall colours.

Finally, when you’ve painted the ceiling don’t forget that baby will be staring upwards for quite some time in the nursery you’ve carefully created. Artistic types might like to try painting a fresco or two although a good quality cot mobile with out of reach moving parts and soothing music will most likely help baby to sleep just as easily.

This is a collaborative post